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The first case of COVID-19 from China was reported to the World Health Organization (WHO) on the 31st of December 2019. The infection was observed to spread relatively quickly to several other countries and by the 30th January 2020, the WHO declared COVID-19 a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. The study was conducted to determine the epidemiology of novel COVID-19 in Nigeria. Data obtained were used to determine the distribution of the disease based on gender and age distribution. The case fatality rate (CFR), prevalence rate, recovery rate and mortality of the disease were also determined and compared with Africa and world. The data obtained showed that as of 12th July 2020, out of 32,558 cases recorded, 21,385 (66%) were males while 11,173 (34%) were females. Subjects within 31 – 40 years age category are more susceptible to contracting the disease in Nigeria which accounted for 24%. However, more deaths have been recorded among people of 60 years and above. The CFR, prevalence rate and mortality of the disease were extremely low and stood as 2.26%, 0.015% and 0.00034% respectively. The present recovery rate of the disease in Nigeria was 40.8%. It is concluded that the disease would be contained if relevant measures are put in place accordingly. © 2020 The author (s).
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The novel Corona virus pandemic has been extremely overwhelming at all levels causing massive economic setbacks for many countries including South Africa. The country witnessed an unprecedented scaling-down of its national economic activities, which called for an emergency response from the government. Several Covid-19 relief schemes were instituted by the government to ensure that farms of all sizes would survive. A support fund of R1.2 billion was allocated to the agriculture and food sector through the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD). The fund was primarily meant to assist financially distressed small-scale farmers to ensure continued production and food security for the country. This study collated the conditions for financial Covid-19 stimulus support required from smallholders and analysed several factors that prevented some members of this vulnerable group from benefitting from the relief funds. These factors include complexities associated with satisfactorily categorizing smallholder producers, productivity, marketing and policy challenges, glitches in formalising smallholder producer operations, the farm-business record keeping pitfall, and the exclusion of subsistent producers. The paper suggests some possible corrective measures that could allow for more inclusive support to these categories of farmers;some of which includes a simple but robust financial traceability system for the farmers, and a need to continue to push for the completion of national registration process of smallholder producers.
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Objective The aim of our study was to determine the extent of exposure of the student population to SARS-CoV-2 and its associated factors. 166 students were enrolled in our study representing a 100% response rate.Results The SARS-CoV-2 antibody seroprevalence in the sampled student population was 78%. Gender of the respondents was a significant modulator of SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity (p < 0.05). Adherence to the institution’s SARS-CoV-2 containment measures by students was very low (6.6%) which numerically amplified the seropositivity among students. There were proportional differences in the use of a particular Covid-19 mitigation strategy by the students such as face masks (60.2%), hand sanitizers (38.6%), Social distancing (25.9%), handwashing with soap (7.8%) and self-isolation (5.4%) (Cochran Q = 155.39, p < 0.001). Our study has shown a very high exposure to SARS-CoV-2 among students which positively suggests a near attainment of herd immunity and negatively unreliability of the current mitigation measures. We recommend such evidence-based results should guide policy directions and decisions in the current and future pandemics.
Subject(s)
COVID-19ABSTRACT
COVID-19 has become a problem for everyone. That's because to reduce the spread of COVID-19 around the world we need to limit our socialization process, which makes daily activities with other people limited. One of these activities is the educational process. Since we cannot meet other people in certain places, traditional learning methods where educators meet their students are discouraged. Another method, the online learning system, is somewhat new to many students and educators. It is not common that every educator and student needs to use online learning methods. However, after the outbreak of COVID- 19, it is best to limit meetings between educators and students to suppress the spread of COVID-19. This study wanted to find a correlation between the dependent variable and the independent variable and find out whether the online learning system has succeeded in replacing the traditional offline learning system or not. It will be determined using a simple linear regression method to estimate the relationship between the system results and the system process itself. With 66% of respondents in this research survey stating that online learning systems are not as effective as offline learning systems, it is proven that online learning systems are still inferior to traditional offline learning methods.
ABSTRACT
Background Separate studies suggest that the risks from smoking might vary between high-income (HICs), middle-income (MICs), and low-income (LICs) countries, but this has not yet been systematically examined within a single study using standardised approaches. We examined the variations in risks from smoking across different country income groups and some of their potential reasons. Methods We analysed data from 134 909 participants from 21 countries followed up for a median of 11.3 years in the Prospective Urban Rural Epidemiology (PURE) cohort study;9711 participants with myocardial infarction and 11 362 controls from 52 countries in the INTERHEART case-control study;and 11 580 participants with stroke and 11 331 controls from 32 countries in the INTERSTROKE case-control study. In PURE, all-cause mortality, major cardiovascular disease, cancers, respiratory diseases, and their composite were the primary outcomes for this analysis. Biochemical verification of urinary total nicotine equivalent was done in a substudy of 1000 participants in PURE. Findings In PURE, the adjusted hazard ratio (HR) for the composite outcome in current smokers (vs never smokers) was higher in HICs (HR 1.87, 95% CI 1.65-2.12) than in MICs (1.41, 1.34-1.49) and LICs (1.35, 1 .25-1.46;interaction p<0.0001). Similar patterns were observed for each component of the composite outcome in PURE, myocardial infarction in INTERHEART, and stroke in INTERSTROKE. The median levels of tar, nicotine, and carbon monoxide displayed on the cigarette packs from PURE HICs were higher than those on the packs from MICs. In PURE, the proportion of never smokers reporting high second-hand smoke exposure (>= 1 times/day) was 6.3% in HICs, 23.2% in MICs, and 14.0% in LICs. The adjusted geometric mean total nicotine equivalent was higher among current smokers in HICs (47.2 mu M) than in MICs (31. 1 mu M) and LICs (25.2 mu M;ANCOVA p<0.0001). By contrast, it was higher among never smokers in LICs (18.8 mu M) and MICs (11.3 mu M) than in HICs (5.0 mu M;ANCOVA p=0.0001). Interpretation The variations in risks from smoking between country income groups are probably related to the higher exposure of tobacco-derived toxicants among smokers in HICs and higher rates of high second-hand smoke exposure among never smokers in MICs and LICs. Copyright (C) 2022 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd.
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The demand of face masks had increased tremendously due to pandemic outbreak of COVID-19, leading to the increment production rate of face masks in Malaysia. Waste is also produced at the same time, resulting impacts towards the environment. Due to the land scarcity issue in Malaysia, the end of life treatment for the waste is taken into consideration. The study tools used in this study is life cycle assessment (LCA) to identify the significant potential environmental impact produced during the life cycle stages for distribution and disposal through GaBi Education Software. The disposal stage between landfill and incineration of the 3-Ply face masks is studied to determine the end of life treatment for it. The impact assessment method selected in this study is CML 2001-Jan 2016 with the environmental indicator of Global Warming Potential (GWP), Acidification Potential (AP), Eutrophication Potential (EP) and Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP). GWP results in producing highest impact to the environment during both distribution and disposal stages. The impact of GWP also relates to the climate change. Modern incineration is recommended to overcome the issue of land scarcity in Malaysia as the amount of waste by 3-Ply face masks are increasing due to the pandemic COVID-19, reducing the impacts towards the environment. © 2022, The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.
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Most institutions and organizations nowadays have been taking responsibility in reducing their carbon footprint (CF) to curtail the global warming impact to at least 20–25% reduction by 2030. Universities and higher learning institutions are starting to invest in becoming greener and carbon-free. Current COVID19 communicable disease has swayed the routine and concurrently influenced regular trends of greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions throughout the world. This study explored the possible GHG emissions (calculated as CO2e) from internal campus commute and purchased electricity consumption from the year 2018–2020 at Universiti Malaysia Perlis main campus to analyze the influence of COVID19 pandemic on its CO2e emission. The average amount of CO2e emitted during pre-COVID19 period (n = 26) was 1,518.8 tCO2e/year while during COVID19 period, it was 1,071.5 tCO2e/year (n = 10), marked as 29.5% reduction. Due to completeness and quality of data for contracted bus (monitoring period of years 2018, 2019 and 2020 as 12 months, 12 months, and 2 months, respectively), year 2019 was determined as the appropriate baseline year for setting the CO2e reduction target due to COVID19 pandemic precedented year. In comparison to pre-COVID19 pandemic, almost 95%/year and 7%/year reductions of CO2e were recorded for both Scope 1 and Scope 2, respectively. Comparing Scope 1 and 2, it was obviously observed that the purchased electricity consumption (Scope 2) was the predominant contributor to GHG emission at UniMAP campus by 78% despite of current pandemic influence and its reduction was indistinct (7%/year reduction). Thus, the reduction target in future should be venturing in energy savings and energy auditing in addition to carbon offsetting. © 2022, The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.
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The emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic has not only impacted the paradigm of health care delivery, but also the education of future health care providers. Medical faculties are compelled to cease all face-to-face teaching considering the threat of the virus. The ramification of distant learning was heavily endured by primary care educators who not only train the undergraduates but also future family medicine specialists. We have discovered that as a medical educator, it is important to continuously evolve and adapt to current situation. Even in the absence of face-to-face teaching, the primary care curriculum can be successfully delivered using the online platform. Here, we describe the crises faced in this endeavour, the solutions that were undertaken, and the advantages of virtual teaching which we hope will add value to primary care medical education. © 2022 UPM Press. All rights reserved.
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Recent marketing research focuses on social media marketing as an essential tool for companies to fully utilise particularly with the increase of online and home-based consumption during pandemic. In particular, the authors hypothesize that online consumer review, social media advertisement and influencers endorsement may affect online purchase intention. The investigation of the hypotheses utilizes a sample of 163 customers who shop for fashion apparels via online platform during pandemic. In order to assess the relationships between these variables, the current research used quantitative methods through an online self-administered questionnaire, in which the scale items were derived from existing literature. These results suggest that ‘Online Consumer Review', ‘Social Media Advertisement', and ‘Influencer Endorsement' have a positive and significant correlation with online purchase intention of fashion apparel during pandemic (r =. 25;r =. 35;r =. 48, respectively). The researcher deliberates the implications for marketing research and practice which include addressing the literature gap in understanding online purchase intention of fashion apparel during pandemic and highlighting the importance of social media marketing for companies to survive in the 21st century of online-based consumption and consumer-oriented social media. © 2021. All Rights Reserved.
ABSTRACT
Anabolic androgenic steroids (AASs) are synthetic analogs of testosterone that can affect the immune system. Bodybuilders and sportsmen are at risk of abusing AASs. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between AASs use and coronavirus disease (COVID-19). This cross-sectional study included adults aged 18 years and above. Between 16 April and 23 June 2021, gym-attending participants completed an online survey. Multivariable analysis was performed using multiple logistic regression to identify factors associated with COVID-19 diagnosis and severity. Current use of AASs was reported in 7.5% of the 520 study participants. Approximately 20% of the study participants reported that they had contracted COVID-19, approximately half of whom reported moderate to severe disease. Contracting COVID-19 was reported more frequently by current users than by non-current users (35.90% vs. 18.92%, p = 0.011). Multivariable analysis revealed that contracting COVID-19 was nearly five times more likely among current users of AASs than among non-current users (OR = 4.89, 95% CI: 1.69-14.13). Current use of AASs was also associated with greater odds of moderate to severe COVID-19 disease (OR = 3.71, 95% CI: 1.04-13.21). Our findings suggest that the use of AASs could be an underlying risk factor for COVID-19 severity.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND Despite various research on vaccine development, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection continues to spread. Thus, developing a more effective vaccine for production and clinical efficacy is still in high demand. This review aimed to assess the immunogenicity and safety of adenovirus-based vector vaccines (Ad-vaccines) including Ad5-vectored, ChAdOx1 nCoV-19, rAd26-S or rAd5-S, and Ad26.COV2.S as the promising solutions for COVID-19. METHODS We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials based on the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses guidelines through PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane, and EBSCOhost until August 17, 2021. We implemented inclusion and exclusion criteria and assessed the studies using the US National Toxicology Program's Office of Health Assessment and Translation risk of bias rating tool for human and animal studies. Pooled estimates of odds ratio (OR) were analyzed using fixed-effect model. RESULTS This systematic review yielded 12 clinical studies with a total of 75,105 subjects. Although the studies were heterogeneous, this meta-analysis showed that Ad-vaccine significantly increased protection and immune response against COVID-19 with a pooled efficacy of 84.68% compared to placebo (p<0.00001). Forest plot also indicated that Ad-vaccine conferred protection against moderate to severe COVID-19 with a pooled OR of 0.26 (p<0.00001). Ad-vaccine had also shown a good safety profile with local site pain and fever as the most common side effects. CONCLUSIONS Ad-vaccine had shown a good immunogenicity for COVID-19 with a good pooled efficacy and was proven safe for COVID-19 patients.
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Objective: The COVID-19 pandemic poses unprecedented challenges to healthcare workers worldwide. This study sought to estimate the prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress among healthcare workers in Saudi Arabia, and to identify the factors associated with these psychological disorders. Methods: A cross-sectional questionnaire-based study was conducted from January 21 to March 2, 2021. Physicians, pharmacists, nurses, and other healthcare workers from different parts of Saudi Arabia were recruited through snowball sampling. Psychological outcomes were measured using the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21). Pearson's chi-square test was used to explore the bivariate association between diverse characteristics and each outcome. Multiple logistic regression analyses were performed to identify factors associated with depression, anxiety, and stress. Results: A total of 501 healthcare workers completed the survey, of whom 60% were female and nearly half were pharmacists. The majority (76.25%) of respondents reported that a family member, friend, or colleague had contracted COVID-19, and more than one-third (36%) knew someone who died due to COVID-19. Overall, the estimated prevalence rates of depression, anxiety, and stress were 54.69, 60.88, and 41.92%, respectively. The multivariate analysis revealed that healthcare workers with chronic diseases, nurses, and healthcare workers from the southern region were more likely to suffer from depression and stress. Further, individuals with positive COVID-19 test results showed a greater proportion of depressive symptoms compared to others. In addition, knowing someone who died due to COVID-19 and having a chronic illness were predisposing factors for anxiety. Conclusion: After more than a year, the prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress remains substantial among healthcare workers in Saudi Arabia. The findings can help guide efforts to mitigate the psychological impact of the pandemic.
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In the first few months of the pandemic, Makkah region reported the highest number of COVID-19 cases among all regions in Saudi Arabia. More than 80% of these reported cases were non-Saudi residents. In this study, we evaluated the perceived threat from and psychological impact of COVID-19 among non-Saudi residents of Makkah region. This was a cross-sectional analysis of data collected using a standardized self-report questionnaire. A total of 292 expatriates were included in the study, the majority of whom were non-Arabic speakers. The prevalence of self-reported depression was nearly 40%, anxiety was 32%, and stress was 43%. The findings indicated variability in the prevalence of psychological symptoms among expatriates from different ethnic backgrounds. Additionally, work environment and perceived threat were strong predictors of psychological disorders. This suggested that the perceived threat from and psychological burden of COVID-19 among non-Saudis in Makkah region is substantial. Future research should investigate the reasons behind these variations in the psychological impact of the pandemic among different ethnic groups.
Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Cross-Sectional Studies , Humans , Perception , SARS-CoV-2 , Saudi Arabia/epidemiologyABSTRACT
In carrying out their duties, medical personnel have a high risk of being exposed to COVID-19, primarily if they are not supported by the Standard Operation Procedure (SOP) and well-planned mitigation scenarios from the Government. The large number of medical personnel affected by COVID-19 in Indonesia is evidence of the mitigation process’s failure, even though the medical personnel’s role in suppressing the outbreak’s spread is vital and significant. Through the mixed exploratory method, there is a relationship or influence in the moderate category between the number of medical personnel in one province and the number of medical personnel infected with the corona. However, the relationship is not too significant. There is a unidirectional relationship, which means the higher the ratio of medical personnel in an area, the lower the ratio of medical personnel infected with the coronavirus. Meanwhile, from the factor of lack of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), it was found that there was a significant difference between WHO and government steps in optimizing the availability of PPE for medical personnel.
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Introduction: Substance use disorder has been frequently reported to increase the risk of infectious diseases, which might be owing to the sharing of contaminated inhalation, smoking, vaping, or injection equipment. Aim: This review analyzes the recent literature with the aim to put in light the possible relationship between the abuse of different substances (Tobacco, opioid, and Alcohol) with coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Tobacco: Multiple studies confirmed that cigarette smoking affects the respiratory system by increasing the expression of angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 (ACE2) receptors, which have a significant association with COVID-19 infection rate and disease severity. Opioid: Studies conducted regarding the association of opioid use disorder (OUD) and COVID-19 infection severity are limited; however, opioids can lead to both respiratory depression and kidney injuries, causing poor prognosis for those with COVID-19 infections. Alcohol: People with alcohol use disorders are at risk of developing acute lung injury and severe COVID-19 infection. Alcohol consumption during the COVID-19 pandemic has two possible scenarios: either increased or decreased based on situations. Conclusion: SUD has been frequently reported to have a positive relationship with COVID-19 severity Further studies are needed to understand the effects of opioids and alcohol abuse on COVID-19.
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Substance use disorder has been frequently reported to increase the risk of infectious diseases, which might be owing to the sharing of contaminated inhalation, smoking, vaping, or injection equipment. Aim: This review analyzes the recent literature with the aim to put in light the possible relationship between the abuse of different substances (Tobacco, opioid, and Alcohol) with coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Tobacco: Multiple studies confirmed that cigarette smoking affects the respiratory system by increasing the expression of angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 (ACE2) receptors, which have a significant association with COVID-19 infection rate and disease severity. Opioid: Studies conducted regarding the association of opioid use disorder (OUD) and COVID-19 infection severity are limited;however, opioids can lead to both respiratory depression and kidney injuries, causing poor prognosis for those with COVID-19 infections. Alcohol: People with alcohol use disorders are at risk of developing acute lung injury and severe COVID-19 infection. Alcohol consumption during the COVID-19 pandemic has two possible scenarios: either increased or decreased based on situations. Conclusion: SUD has been frequently reported to have a positive relationship with COVID-19 severity Further studies are needed to understand the effects of opioids and alcohol abuse on COVID-19.